The Middlesex Guildhall Art Collection comprises an art collection, silverware and a chair, which used to be housed in the Middlesex Guildhall, now the Supreme Court.

The art collection is on display at the Supreme Court in Parliament Square, the Middlesex silver is displayed at Harrow Civic Centre and the Kew Bridge Chair is displayed in the Richmond Museum.

The board of trustees, which manages the collection, is made up of four councillors from Harrow Council and four JPs who are nominated by Middlesex MA. They are assisted by officers of Harrow Council, the CEO at the Supreme Court and other professionals.

Roz Reece JP and Marion Stern JP are trustees, with two vacancies for JPs on the board. They would love to hear from anyone interested in art who could give about three evenings a year to attend meetings and ensure this collection continues to be enjoyed by the public visiting the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court web-site gives good coverage of the collection and an idea of the part it plays in the history of the building.

Magistrates Golfing Society celebrate its 80th Anniversary

On 21 September 1938, Henry Cairn Hogbin JP saw the birth of his ‘brain child’, a golfing society for magistrates. Despite driving rain, 40 magistrates took part in that inaugural meeting which warranted two columns in the Daily Mail the next day.

80 years later, on 20 September 2018, 38 magistrates and their guests teed off at the Ladbrook Park Golf Club in the West Midlands to celebrate this significant anniversary, and it poured with rain for most of the day! Some things do not change! From those small beginnings, centred on fashionable golf courses around London, has developed a national society which includes magistrates and district judges playing quality courses in all four corners of England.

It was a wet day but certainly the enthusiasm was not dampened. After the golf competition, a champagne reception preceded a very enjoyable dinner and prize giving. What was particularly evident was the great spirit of friendship and enjoyment of a group of people brought together by both their sport and their work in the magistracy. Their founder would be justly proud of his dream being so well and strong after 80 years.

The programme for their 81st year (and not many golfing societies can boast such a record), will be published next month on their website: www.magistratesgolfingsociety.org .

If you would like to join the society, please contact Paul Coombes on 01245 224481 . You will be made very welcome!

Northumbria MA: visit to Northumbria police firearms support unit

On 27 September, Northumbria MA arranged a visit to the Northumbria Police Firearms Support Unit (FSU) for a number of its members. The trip was a great success!

Following a warm welcome by senior officers, Deputy Chief Firearms Instructor Sergeant Mick Vent gave a presentation about the unit, revealing that it has the highest training pass rate in the country. Sergeant Vent explained how policing has changed over the last 30 years, from a ‘bobby’ with a handgun and no protection, to the fully protected, specialised, tactical teams that exist today. He then went on to outline the decision making and risk analysis undertaken before the FSU is deployed.

FSU officers also work on surveillance duties at large events; provide close protection for VIP and Royal Visits; are skilled evasive and defensive drivers; and are highly trained in first aid, allowing them to deal with any injuries until paramedics arrive.

Sergeant Vent’s presentation was followed by an excellent tour covering the firearms range, external buildings and armoury – a fascinating room with historical and very modern weapons - some even disguised as mobile phones!

Northumbria MA is most grateful to Northumbria Police for a memorable afternoon.

There is also material online covering topics dealt with by DC Fowler in his presentation such as phishing, updates and public WiFi. These can be found on the Metropolitan Police website www.met.police.uk/fraud under resources for fighting fraud. You can also find the material on YouTube if you search for ‘Met Police fighting cyber crime’.

Wolds MA: September conference

On 29 September, John Bache addressed the Wolds MA September conference on the role of the MA and his aims and objectives whist in office. He then took a wide range of questions from the audience.

The conference also included a presentation on the issue of online safety from representatives of the No Way Trust. This focused on the need to educate children and adults on the risks that online activity can bring.

500 Club - OCTOBER WINNERS

East Sussex MA: autumn training event

East Sussex MA would like to invite any MA member to their autumn training event in Eastbourne, on the 17 November 2018, from9.00am to 1.30pm.The training be on Mental Health in the Adult and Family Courts.They are delighted to have as speakers a consultant psychologist, medical leads from HMP Lewes, their local (Mental Health Lead) legal adviser, and a representative from an armed forces charity.

Staffordshire MA: community payback visits and AGM

Following a series of successful visits in Tamworth and Cannock, Staffordshire MA has arranged for magistrates to visit the onsite activities of various community payback (unpaid work) teams working in the Stoke on Trent area.

Places are open to all magistrates, on a ‘first come, first served basis’. Initially, dates are 18 or 25 November, 2 or 9 December.